President Moon Jae-in took the opportunity Thursday to rebuke critics who say a fall in average household incomes in the first quarter proves his income-led growth policy is a failure. 

At a state financial strategy meeting, Moon asserted the income-led growth initiative is working, citing other statistical data such as a substantial increase in laborers’ salaries, particularly those of low-income workers. 

Moon did concede that the fall in household incomes in the bottom 20 percent bracket is painful and needs effective countermeasures.  

He also urged government officials to better deal with such criticism by sufficiently and confidently informing the public of positive effects of the income-led growth initiative and a minimum wage hike.